Gaming Machine And Playing Method Thereof, Capable Of Running Game Based On Audio Input

ABSTRACT

Statement information is presented in accordance to the state of the game at a predetermined timing, voice message input from the outside through a microphone is accepted as vocal data, and a privilege is awarded when a predetermined keyword related to the statement information that has been presented is included in the information represented by the vocal data.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a gaming machine and playing methodthereof, that are capable of running a plurality of types of games basedon audio input.

2. Description of Related Art

There are various gaming machines including card game machines, slotmachines, dice game machines and roulette machines, and variousapparatuses aimed at improving entertainment characteristics of thegames have been disclosed. For example, a slot machine disclosed in U.S.Pat. No. 6,604,999B2 Specification, U.S. Patent 20020065124A1Specification or U.S. Patent 20040053676A1 Specification pays out apredetermined amount of game media when a predetermined combination ofsymbols appears along a winning line on a display that has stopped. Sucha slot machine produces an exciting effect to arouse the expectationsfor the game media to be paid out. For example, a player's expectationfor a jackpot is aroused by modifying the background picture or showingvarious characters. Such exciting effects to arouse the player'sexpectations constitute an important element of the entertainmentcharacteristics of a gaming machine.

In addition U.S. Patent Laid-open Application No. 20070094007Specification, U.S. Patent Laid-open Application No. 20070094008Specification, U.S. Patent Laid-open Application No. 20070094005Specification and U.S. Patent Laid-open Application No. 20070094004Specification disclose a voice control device that is capable ofoutputting a pre-prepared set of vocal messages or topics organized in acontext to players, while responding to player's vocal inputs.

However, there has been nothing new in such audio effects whichtherefore failed to provide entertainment beyond the players'expectations.

An object of the invention is to provide a gaming machine providingentertainment characteristics which are not brought about by the abovementioned prior art, and a controlling method thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a gaming machine including a base gamethat awards payouts according to predetermined winning, a plurality ofsets of statement information delivered in accordance to the state ofthe base game, keywords related to the plurality of sets of statementinformation, microphone that allow it to input voice messages from theoutside, and a controller that is programmed to control the operationsthrough the following processes (a1) through (a4); (a1) to run the basegame and award payouts according to predetermined winning; (a2) topresent the statement information at a predetermined timing; (a3) toreceive the voice message from the outside input to the microphone asvocal data; and (a4) when a keyword related to the statement informationthat has been presented is included in the information represented bythe vocal data, to award a privilege.

According to the structure described above, the base game is run andpayouts are awarded according to the predetermined winning. Thestatement information is presented at a predetermined timing accordingto the state of the base game. The voice message that is input from theoutside to the microphone is accepted as vocal data. When apredetermined keyword related to the statement information that has beenpresented is included in the information represented by the vocal data,a privilege is awarded.

Accordingly, the gaming machine makes it possible to input a vocalmessage in response to the statement information that is presented,while running the base game. On condition that a predetermined keywordis included in the vocal message that is input, a privilege is awarded.As a result, new entertainment characteristics are provided.

The present invention provides a gaming machine having a structuredescribed below, wherein the controller is structured so as to becapable of setting the timing of presenting the statement information.

The structure described makes it possible to provide flexibility in themethod of presenting the statement information from the gaming machine,so as to improve the entertainment characteristics.

The present invention provides a gaming machine including a base gamethat awards a payout according to predetermined winning, a plurality ofsets of statement information presented in accordance to the state ofthe base game, keywords related to the plurality of sets of statementinformation, and a plurality of gaming terminals each including amicrophone that allows a voice message to be input from the outside, anda controller that is programmed to control the operations through thefollowing processes (b1) through (b4); (b1) to run the base gameindependently from other gaming terminals and award payouts according topredetermined winning; (b2) to present the statement information at apredetermined timing; (b3) to accept a voice message input from theoutside to the microphone as vocal data; and (b4) when a keyword relatedto the statement information that has been presented is included in theinformation represented by the vocal data, to award a privilege.

According to the structure described above, the base game is runindependently from the other gaming terminals and a payout is awardedaccording to the predetermined winning. The statement information ispresented at a predetermined timing in accordance to the state of thebase game. The voice message input from the outside to the microphone isreceived as vocal data. When a keyword related to the statementinformation that has been presented is included in the informationrepresented by the vocal data, a privilege is awarded.

Accordingly, the gaming machine is capable of accepting a voice messagethat is input in response to the statement information that ispresented, while running the base game. On condition that apredetermined keyword is included in the voice message that has beeninput, a privilege is awarded. As a result, new entertainmentcharacteristics are provided.

The present invention provides a gaming machine including a base gamethat awards a payout according to predetermined winning, a plurality ofsets of statement information presented in accordance to the state ofthe base game, keywords related to the plurality of sets of statementinformation, options presented so as to allow selection one of aplurality of characters, and a plurality of gaming terminals eachincluding a terminal display that displays effect images of thecharacters, a microphone that allows a voice message to be input fromthe outside, an input device that accepts input from the outside, and acontroller that is programmed to control the operations through thefollowing processes (c1) through (c7); (c1) to run the base gameindependently from the other gaming terminals and award a payoutaccording to predetermined winning; (c2) to present the options whiledisplaying effect images for the plurality of characters on the terminaldisplay; (c3) to select one of the plurality of characters according tothe input through the input device; (c4) to display the selectedcharacter on the terminal display and present the statement informationat a predetermined timing; (c5) to accept a voice message input from theoutside through the microphone as vocal data; and (c6) when a keywordrelated to the statement information that has been presented is includedin the information represented by the vocal data, to accumulativelystore predetermined point to an accumulated value; and (c7) to award aprivilege when the accumulated points have reached a predeterminedvalue.

According to the structure described above, the base game is runindependently from the other gaming terminals and payouts are awardedaccording to the predetermined winning. The effect images of theplurality of characters are displayed on the terminal display and theoptions are presented. One of the plurality of characters is selectedaccording to the input made through the input device. The selectedcharacter is displayed on the terminal display and the statementinformation corresponding to the state of the base game is presented ata predetermined timing. The voice message that is input from the outsidethrough the microphone is received as vocal data. When a predeterminedkeyword related to the statement information that has been presented isincluded in the information represented by the vocal data, predeterminedpoints are accumulatively stored to an accumulated value. When theaccumulated points reach a predetermined value, a privilege is awarded.

Accordingly, the gaming machine is capable of accepting a voice messagein response to the statement information that is presented together withthe character image, while running the base game. On condition that apredetermined keyword is included in the voice message, a privilege isawarded. As a result, new entertainment characteristics are provided.

The present invention provides a method for playing the gaming machineincluding (d1) a step of running the base game that awards payoutsaccording to a predetermined winning and awarding payouts according tothe predetermined winning; (d2) a step of presenting statementinformation that corresponds to the state of the game at a predeterminedtiming; (d3) a step of accepting a voice message input from the outsidethrough the microphone as vocal data; and (d4) a step of awarding aprivilege when a predetermined keyword related to the statementinformation that has been presented is included in the informationrepresented by the vocal data.

Accordingly, the gaming machine is capable of inputting the voicemessage in response to the statement information presented, whilerunning the base game. On condition that a predetermined keyword isincluded in the voice message that has been input, a privilege isawarded. As a result, new entertainment characteristics are provided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates a gaming machine and a playing method thereof.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the gaming machine.

FIG. 3 is an explanatory diagram showing display states of a terminaldisplay.

FIG. 4 is an explanatory diagram showing display states of a terminaldisplay.

FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing display states of a shareddisplay.

FIG. 6 is a diagram explanatory of a dealer selecting screen of theterminal display.

FIG. 7 is a diagram explanatory showing display states of statementinformation displayed on the terminal display.

FIG. 8 is a front view illustrating an external appearance of the gamingmachine.

FIG. 9 is a top view illustrating an external appearance of a gamingterminal.

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical structure of thegaming terminal.

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing an electrical structure of a centercontrol unit.

FIG. 12 is a diagram showing a statement information table.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing a keyword table.

FIG. 14 is a flow chart showing a boot process executed by the gamingterminal and the center control unit.

FIG. 15 is a flow chart showing an initialization process executed bythe gaming terminal and the center control unit.

FIG. 16 is a flow chart showing a center process routine executed in thecenter control unit.

FIG. 17 is a flow chart showing a gaming terminal process routineexecuted in the gaming terminal.

FIG. 18 is a flow chart showing a dealer selection process routineexecuted in the gaming terminal.

FIG. 19 is a flow chart showing a statement information presentationprocess routine executed in the gaming terminal.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following describes an embodiment of a gaming machine and a playingmethod thereof according to the present invention with reference to FIG.1 through FIG. 19.

The gaming machine 1 executes a playing method that comprises, as shownin FIG. 1, a step of running a base game that awards a payout accordingto predetermined winning and awarding payouts according to thepredetermined winning, a step of presenting statement information thatcorresponds to the state of the game at a predetermined timing, a stepof accepting a voice message input from the outside to the microphone asvocal data, and a step of awarding a privilege when a predeterminedkeyword related to the statement information that has been presented isincluded in the information represented by the vocal data.

The “gaming machine 1” herein may be designed either to be played by asingle player or to have a plurality of gaming terminals to be played bya plurality of players. Moreover, the gaming machine of theindependently-player type and/or the gaming machine of themultiple-player type may be connected in data communication with eachother, thus allowing the players on the connected gaming machines toparticipate in a game.

The “privilege” herein refers to an advantageous state for a player, oran increased possibility to attain the advantageous state. Theadvantageous state may be the acquisition of credit or other value, astatus that gives the player an upper hand in playing the game, or thelike.

The gaming machine 1 that executes the playing method described abovecomprises a center control unit 200 and a plurality of gaming terminals10 as shown in FIG. 2. The gaming terminal 10 comprises a game startunit 104, a BET unit 109, a microphone 103, an information presentingdevice 101 and a terminal controller 100.

As shown in FIG. 2, the game start unit 104, the BET unit 109 and theinformation presenting device 101 are connected to the terminalcontroller 100. The game start unit 104 has a function of outputting agame start signal, in response to an operation by the player. The gamestart signal output is then input to a later-detailed terminal-side gamerunning unit 105 of the terminal controller 100.

The BET unit 109 has functions of receiving a BET entered through anoperation by the player, and outputting a BET signal. The BET signaloutput is input to the terminal-side game running unit 105.

The microphone 103 has a function to receive voice message input fromthe outside and output the vocal data to the terminal controller 100.The vocal data output is input to the terminal-side game running unit105.

The information presenting device 101 has a function to presentstatement information that corresponds to the playing state of the basegame, in response to a command from the terminal controller 100.

(Terminal Controller 100)

The terminal controller 100 is structured so as to carry out a firstprocess of running the base game and awarding payout in accordance topredetermined winning, a second process of presenting statementinformation at a predetermined timing, a third process of accepting thevoice message input from the outside through the microphone 103 as vocaldata, and a fourth process of awarding a privilege when the keywordrelated to the presented statement information is included in theinformation represented by the vocal data. In other words, the terminalcontroller 100 has the first processing unit, the second processingunit, the third processing unit and the fourth processing unit.

As shown in FIG. 2, the terminal controller 100 is connected to thecenter control unit 200 so as to be capable of communicating with eachother. The terminal controller 100 has the terminal-side game runningunit 105, a payout determining unit 107 and a payout awarding unit 108.

The terminal-side game running unit 105 is structured so as to send agame start preparation signal to the center control unit 200 inaccordance to a BET signal from the BET unit 109, by taking the gamestart signal from the game start unit 104 as a trigger. Theterminal-side game running unit 105 of each of the gaming terminals 10in the gaming machine 1 to be described later as one embodiment of thepresent invention is structured to synchronize the unit game inaccordance to a command from a center-side game running unit 201 of thecenter control unit 200, although the present invention is not limitedto this structure. The terminal-side game running unit 105 also receivesthe vocal data from the microphone 103.

The payout determining unit 107 is structured so as to determine whetherthe outcome of a unit game that has been run upon command of the centercontrol unit 200 represents the predetermined winning or not. The payoutdetermining unit 107 may also determine whether the outcomes of aplurality of unit games represent the predetermined winning or not. Thepayout awarding unit 108 is structured so as to award payoutcorresponding to the winning, when the payout determining unit 107 hasdetermined that the outcome of the base game represents thepredetermined winning.

That is, the terminal controller 100 is structured so as to run the basegame and carry out the first process of awarding the payout inaccordance to the predetermined winning.

The terminal controller 100 has a statement control unit 106. Thestatement control unit 106 directs the information presenting device 101to present the statement information that corresponds to the playingstate of the base game, in accordance to the command that is output fromthe terminal-side game running unit 105 at a predetermined timing. Thusthe terminal controller 100 executes the second process of presentingthe statement information at a predetermined timing.

The terminal-side game running unit 105 is structured so as to becapable of accepting the vocal data from the microphone 103 after thestatement information has been presented. That is, the terminalcontroller 100 executes the third process of accepting the voice messageinput from the outside through the microphone 103 as vocal data.

The terminal controller 100 comprises the keyword storage unit 118, avoice control unit 119 and a privilege awarding unit 102. The keywordstorage unit 118 stores the keyword that is related to the statementinformation presented by the information presenting device 101. Thevoice control unit 119 is structured so as to analyze the vocal datathat is input to the terminal controller 100 and determine whether thekeyword stored in the keyword storage unit 118 is included in the vocaldata. The privilege awarding unit 102 awards privilege to the player inaccordance to a command from the voice control unit 119.

To sum up, the terminal controller 100 carries out the fourth process toaward a privilege when the keyword related to the statement informationthat has been presented is included in the information represented bythe vocal data.

Each block of the terminal controller 100 described above may berealized with hardware or with software as needed.

(Operation of Terminal Controller 100)

The following describes an operation of the terminal controller 100 inthe above structure. First, the BET unit 109 receives a BET enteredthrough an operation by a player. Upon the player's operation, the gamestart unit 104 outputs the game start signal so that a unit game isstarted in the terminal-side game running unit 105. The payoutdetermining unit 107 determines whether the outcome of the unit gamejustifies awarding the payout or not. When it is determined that theoutcome of the unit game justifies awarding the payout, the payoutawarding unit 108 awards the payout. In this way, the terminalcontroller 100 carries out the first process of running the base gameindependently from the other terminals and awarding the payout inaccordance to the outcome of the unit game.

The terminal-side game running unit 105 outputs the statementinformation to the statement control unit 106 at a predetermined timing.The statement control unit 106 causes the information presenting device101 to send the statement information that corresponds to the playingstate of the base game, in accordance to the statement signal that isoutput from the terminal-side game running unit 105. Thus the terminalcontroller 100 executes the second process of presenting the statementinformation at a predetermined timing.

The microphone 103 outputs voice message, that is input from theoutside, to the terminal-side game running unit 105 as vocal data. Theterminal-side game running unit 105 outputs the vocal data that has beenreceived by the voice control unit 119. Thus the terminal controller 100executes the third process of accepting the voice message input from theoutside through the microphone 103 as the vocal data.

The voice control unit 119 is structured so as to analyze the vocal datathat is input to the terminal controller 100 and determine whether thekeyword that corresponds to the statement information stored in thekeyword storage unit 118 is included in the vocal data or not. The voicecontrol unit 119 outputs a privilege awarding signal to the privilegeawarding unit 102. The privilege awarding unit 102 awards the privilegeto the player in accordance to the privilege awarding signal receivedfrom the voice control unit 119. Thus the terminal controller 100executes the fourth process of awarding the privilege when the keywordrelated to the presented statement information is included in theinformation represented by the vocal data.

As will be apparent from the above description of the operation, thebase game is run in the gaming machine 1 and payout is awarded inaccordance to the predetermined winning. In accordance to the playingstate of the base game, the statement information is presented at thepredetermined timing. The voice message input from the outside throughthe microphone is accepted as the vocal data. The privilege is awardedwhen the predetermined keyword related to the presented statementinformation is included in the information represented by the vocaldata.

As a result, the base game can be run in the gaming machine 1, whereinvoice message can be input in response to the statement informationpresented. The privilege is awarded when the predetermined keyword isincluded in the voice message that has been input. As a result, newentertainment characteristics are provided.

The gaming machine 1 is not limited to the structure described above.For example, the gaming machine 1 may be structured such that the timingat which the statement information is presented by the informationpresenting device 101 can be set. This makes it possible to rendervariety to the method of presenting the statement information in thegaming machine 1 and thereby improve the entertainment characteristics.

For example, the gaming machine 1 may also have the following structure.The base game is run independently from the other gaming terminals andpayouts are awarded according to predetermined winning. Effect images ofa plurality of characters are displayed on the terminal display, whileoptions are presented. One of the plurality of characters is selectedaccording to the input through the input device. The selected characteris displayed on the terminal display at a predetermined timing while thestatement information is presented in accordance to the playing state ofthe base game. The voice message input to the microphone 103 is acceptedas vocal data. When a predetermined keyword related to the statementinformation that has been presented is included in the informationrepresented by the vocal data, predetermined points are accumulativelystored. The privilege is awarded when the accumulatively stored pointsreach a predetermined value.

In the gaming machine 1 of the structure described above, the base gameis run while voice message can be input in response to the statementinformation presented together with the character images. The privilegeis awarded on condition that the predetermined keyword is included inthe voice message that has been input. As a result, new entertainmentcharacteristics are provided.

(Center Control Unit 200)

The center control unit 200 is connected to the plurality of terminalcontrollers 100 so as to be capable of communicating with each other.The center control unit 200 is structured so as to transmit a signalthat synchronizes the unit game in the base game that is run in theterminal controller 100. The center control unit 200 has the center-sidegame running unit 201.

The center-side game running unit 201 has a function of synchronizingthe gaming terminals 10 in execution of the unit game. That is, when theunit game is started at the gaming terminals 10 by the game start unit104, the terminal-side game running unit 105 transmits the game startpreparation signal to the center-side game running unit 201. Thecenter-side game running unit 201 receives the game start preparationsignal from the gaming terminals 10 within a predetermined period. Thenthe center-side game running unit 201 transmits a game start commandsignal to the gaming terminals 10 that have received the game startpreparation signal. The gaming terminals are structured so as to startthe unit game in accordance to the game start command signal sent fromthe center-side game running unit 201.

Since the center control unit 200 is structured so as to be capable ofsynchronizing the plurality of gaming terminals 10 in running the basegame, the dramatizing effect can be improved further.

(Mechanical Structure: Overview)

Now an embodiment of the present invention will be described. FIG. 1 isa diagram explanatory of the schematic structure and operation of thegaming machine 1 according to this embodiment. As shown in FIG. 1, thegaming machine 1 has the plurality of gaming terminals 10 and the centercontrol unit 200. The center control unit 200 has the shared display 210that displays common effect image of the base game that is run in thegaming terminals 10.

The gaming terminal 10 has the terminal display 110 so that the effectimages can be displayed at each of the plurality of gaming terminals 10.Mechanical structures of the gaming terminal 10 and the center controlunit 200 will be described in detail later.

(Base Game)

Now the “base game” of this embodiment will be described with referenceto FIG. 3 to FIG. 5. The “base game” of this embodiment is black jack,in which the player vies in the total value of the cards that have beendealt (hereinafter referred to as a score). In black jack, the totalvalue of the dealer's cards and the total value of the player's cardsare compared, and the one with higher total value that is not greaterthan 21 is the winner.

The individual session of the base game is started in accordance to theBET accepted by the gaming machine 1. The base game comprises one ormore unit games started in accordance to the BET. The base game is notlimited to black jack, and may also be baccarat, a slot game, roulettegame or various book games.

FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 show examples of the screen of the terminal display110 during the base game. As shown in FIG. 3, the terminal display 110shows BET button images 111 a, 111 b, 111 c, an amount of BET image area112, a STAND button image 113, a HIT button image 114, a terminal dealerimage 120 and dealer comment area 121.

The terminal display 110 shows, at the top right thereof, the terminaldealer image 120 and the dealer comment area 121. Specifically, theterminal dealer image 120 is an image of the character that representsthe dealer. The dealer comment area 121 shows an image of text thatprompts the player to do an input operation. This makes it possible toguide the player to proceed in the course of the base game.

The BET button images 111 a, 111 b, 111 c are displayed at the rightlower part of the terminal display 110. The touch panel 69 is providedso as to cover the terminal display 110, although it is not illustrated.The touch panel 69 has a function of, when pressed thereon, sending asignal representing the position of the panel that is pressed to theterminal controller 100. The terminal controller 100 makes reference tocorresponding information related to the positional data. This makes itpossible for the touch panel 69 to accept an input from the outside.

The BET button images 111 a, 111 b, 111 c are areas in which differentamounts of BET are to be input. For example, when an area where the BETbutton image 111 a is displayed is pressed, $1 is input as the amount ofBET. When an area where the BET button image 111 b is displayed ispressed, $10 is input as the amount of BET. When an area where the BETbutton image 111 c is displayed is pressed, $100 is input as the amountof BET.

The amount of BET image area 112 is displayed at the left center of theterminal display. The amount of BET image area 112 shows the amount ofBET corresponding to which of the BET button images 111 a, 111 b, 111 cwas pressed.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 3, a text reading “Pleasedecide on the amount of BET” is displayed in the dealer comment area121. When the BET button image 111 b is pressed, the amount of BET imagearea 112 shows the amount of BET “10”.

As shown in FIG. 4, when the player has made BET, an initially dealtcards image 115 and a scoring image 116 are displayed at the upper-leftof the terminal display 110. The initially dealt cards image 115 showstwo of the cards. The scoring image 116 shows the sum of the values(scores) represented by the initially dealt cards image 115 andadditionally dealt card image 117 to be described later.

The STAND button image 113 or the HIT button image 114 is displayed atthe lower left part of the terminal display 110. The player presses anarea representing the STAND button image 113 or the HIT button image114, so as to determine the score from the unit game. Specifically, whenthe area representing the STAND button image 113 is pressed, the totalvalue of the cards that were dealt first becomes the score. When thearea representing the HIT button image 114 is pressed, the valuerepresented by the additionally dealt card image 117 shown at the rightof the initially dealt cards image 115 plus the total value of the cardsthat were dealt first becomes the score. The additionally dealt cardimage 117 shows one of the “cards”.

FIG. 5 shows an example of screen on the shared display 210 in the basegame. The shared display 210 shows a common dealer image 211, a dealer'scards image 212 and a terminal's card image 213.

The common dealer image 211 is displayed at the center of the shareddisplay 210. The common dealer image 211 is an image of a virtual dealerthat administers the progress of the base game, and makes various visualeffects as the base game proceeds.

The dealer's cards image 212 is displayed at the center of the shareddisplay 210. The dealer's cards image 212 shows the cards dealt by thevirtual dealer. The dealer's cards image 212 shows two cards that aredealt first and one card that is dealt (HIT) automatically when thescore is 16 or less, while the score is determined (STAND) when it is 17or more.

The terminal's card image 213 is displayed at the lower part of theshared display 210 so as to surround the dealer's cards image 212. Theterminal's card image 213 is displayed in synchronization with theinitially dealt cards image 115 that is displayed on the gaming terminal10 that runs the base game and with the additionally dealt card image117.

The score of each gaming terminal 10 and the dealer's score from thebase game are determined as described above. The gaming terminal 10 winswhen its score is 21 or less and is higher than the dealer's score, anda payout determined in accordance to the amount of BET is awarded. Onthe other hand, no payout will be awarded when the score of the gamingterminal 10 is 22 or higher, or lower than the dealer's score.

(Selection of Terminal Dealer Image 120)

The player is allowed in the base game to select one terminal dealerimage 120 representing a plurality of virtual dealers displayed on theterminal display 110. Options of a plurality of dealers are presentedfor the player to select one therefrom. The options are not limited tothe dealer, and may be another character or the like.

Specifically, the dealer selecting screen that allows selection of thedealer will be described with reference to FIG. 6. As shown in FIG. 6,the dealer selecting screen shows dealer candidate images 130 (130 a,130 b, 130 c) and a presented comment image 131.

The dealer candidate images 130 a, 130 b, 130 c are displayed alonghorizontal line at the center of the terminal display 110. The dealercandidate images 130 a, 130 b, 130 c are images of different dealers.The presented comment image 131 is a text image that prompts the playerto make a selection. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 6, a text“Please select a dealer” is displayed. The player presses an area whereone of the dealer candidate images 130 a, 130 b, 130 c is displayed, andthe dealer candidate image that is selected is displayed as the terminaldealer image 120. The pressing operation is accepted by the touch panel69. That is, one of the plurality of dealers is determined in accordanceto the input on the touch panel 69.

(Presentation of Statement Information)

Now the form of the statement information presented in accordance to thestate of the base game will be described with reference to FIG. 7. Whilethe statement information is presented as an image in this embodiment,the present invention is not limited to this form. For example, thestatement information may be presented in the form of vocal message, oras a combination of vocal message and an image.

As shown in FIG. 7, the statement information is displayed as a commentimage 132 in the dealer comment area 121 of the terminal display 110.The statement information is presented in the form of a message spokenby the dealer displayed on the terminal to the player. The comment image132 is displayed in accordance to the state of the base game at apredetermined timing of the progress of the base game. Thus the commentimage 132 that is presented in accordance to the state of the base gameat a predetermined timing of the base game is presented together withterminal dealer image 120 that has been selected on the dealer selectingscreen.

In the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, the comment image 132display a text “You have been piling up losses, haven't you?”. In thisembodiment, the text “You have been piling up losses, haven't you?” isdisplayed when the player has been losing three sessions in a row.

The terminal display 110 displays, in addition to the comment image 132,a vocal input allowing symbol image 133 and a vocal input requestcomment image 134. The vocal input allowing symbol image 133 isdisplayed at the lower-left of the terminal dealer image 120 indicatingthat vocal input can be made. The player knows that vocal input can bemade by seeing the vocal input allowing symbol image 133. The vocalinput request comment image 134, that is a text prompting the player tomake vocal input, is displayed above the vocal input allowing symbolimage 133. In the case of the example shown in FIG. 7, the vocal inputrequest comment image 134 shows a text “Talk to me”.

(Awarding Privilege)

Voice message that is input is converted to vocal data by the microphone103. The vocal data is analyzed by the gaming terminal 10 to determinewhether a predetermined keyword is included or not. The “predeterminedkeyword” is the one that is related to the statement information that ispresented when the voice message is input.

The terminal display 110 displays a point gauge image 135 that includesan accumulated point section 135 a. The point gauge image 135corresponds to the terminal dealer image 120 that is displayed on theterminal display 110. The accumulated point section 135 a shows theaccumulated point that is awarded when the predetermined keyword isincluded in the information represented by the vocal input. Length of agauge of the accumulated point section 135 a in the point gauge image135 represents the amount of points.

When the predetermined keyword is included in the informationrepresented by the vocal input, the accumulated point section 135 a isdisplayed in such a way that the gauge has a length that corresponds tothe accumulated point plus the newly awarded point as shown by the lowerunit of FIG. 7.

In this embodiment, points are awarded when the predetermined keyword isincluded in the information represented by the vocal input, and a creditis awarded as the privilege when the accumulated value of points exceedsa predetermined value. However, the present invention is not limited tothis embodiment. For example, the privilege may be given when thepredetermined keyword is included in the information represented by thevocal input.

Moreover, the privilege is not limited to credit, and may be thepresentation of secret information that gives the player the upper handin playing the base game. The privilege may also be such that the secretinformation is presented more frequently as the value of accumulatedpoints increases. Also the secret information is presented moreaccurately as the value of accumulated points increases.

(Mechanical Structure: Gaming Machine 1)

As shown in FIG. 8, the gaming machine 1 comprises the center controlunit 200 and the plurality of gaming terminals 10. The gaming terminals10 are disposed in front of the center control unit 200. As describedpreviously, the gaming machine 1 has such a structure as the centercontrol unit 200 has the shared display 210 that provides the effectimages for the base game that is run at the gaming terminals 10. Theshared display 210 is disposed so that the screen thereof is directedtoward the gaming terminals 10.

(Mechanical Structure: Gaming Terminal 10)

FIG. 9 is a top view of the gaming terminal 10. As shown in FIG. 9, thegaming terminal 10 comprises the cabinet 2, an ID card slot 4, a billinsertion slot 5, a coin insertion slot 6, a dispensing port 7 (refer toFIG. 8), the terminal display 110 and the touch panel 69 (refer to FIG.10).

The cabinet 2 has the betted amount display 3, the ID card slot 4, thebill insertion slot 5, the coin insertion slot 6, the terminal display110 and the touch panel 69 disposed at predetermined positions on topthereof. In the cabinet 2, the dispensing port 7 is fixed at apredetermined position of a front surface. The cabinet 2 also protectsthe electronics installed therein.

The terminal display 110 has a transparent liquid crystal panel thatdisplays various information. The terminal display 110 displays, forexample, statement information corresponding to the state of the basegame, effects images relating to the virtual dealer, etc.

The ID card slot 4 is structured so as to accept ID card that containsthe player ID used to identify the player, to be inserted therein. Thebill insertion slot 5 and the coin insertion slot 6 accept bank notesand coins, respectively, that are charged therein by the player forbetting a desired amount of BET. The dispensing port 7 is used toreimburse those of the bank notes and coins that have been charged butnot put into BET, and to award the payout in accordance to the outcomeof the base game.

The touch panel 69 is provided so as to cover the terminal display 110,although it is not illustrated. The touch panel 69 is structured fromtransparent electrodes of two-layer structure. The touch panel 69 has afunction of, when pressed thereon, sending a signal representing theposition of the panel that is pressed. Thus the touch panel 69 enablesentering of the BET information and the like for running the base game.The touch panel 69 also allows selection of a dealer from the terminaldealer image 120 by pressing on the dealer selecting screen.

(Electrical Structure of Gaming Machine 1)

Now electrical structure of the gaming machine 1 will be described withreference to FIG. 10 and FIG. 11.

(Electrical Structure: Gaming Terminal 10)

FIG. 10 is a block diagram illustrating an electrical structure of thegaming terminal 10. As illustrated in FIG. 10, the cabinet 2 includestherein a control unit having at least one of the functions of aterminal controller 100. The control unit includes, as shown in FIG. 10,a motherboard 40, a main body PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60, a gamingboard 50, and various switches, sensors, or the like.

The gaming board 50 is provided with a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 51,a ROM 55, a boot ROM 52, a card slot 53S corresponding to a memory card53, and an IC socket 54S corresponding to a GAL (Generic Array Logic)54. The CPU 51, the ROM 55, and the boot ROM 52 are connected to oneanother through an internal bus.

The memory card 53 stores therein a game program and a game systemprogram. The memory card 53 stores therein various types of data for usein the game programs and the game system programs. Specifically, thememory card 53 stores various data table information shown in FIG. 12and FIG. 13. For example, the memory card 53 stores information such asthe timing of displaying the comment image 132 as the statementinformation. The data of the the memory card 53 is transferred to theRAM 43 of the motherboard 40, at the time of running a game program.

The card slot 53S is structured so as to allow the memory card 53 to beattached/detached to/from the card slot 53S. This card slot 53S isconnected to the motherboard 40 through an IDE bus. Thus, the type andcontent of a game run by a gaming terminal 10 can be modified bydetaching the memory card 53 from the card slot 53S, write a differentgame program and a different game system program into the memory card53, and inserting the memory card 53 back into the card slot 53S.

For example, setting of the timing of presenting the statementinformation can be changed by adjusting the timing of displaying thecomment image 132. That is, the control unit that functions as theterminal controller 100 is structured so as to set the timing ofdisplaying the comment image 132 as the statement information.

Each of the game program includes a program related to the progress ofthe base game. Each of the game programs includes image data and audiodata output during the game.

The GAL 54 has input and output ports. When the GAL 54 receives data viathe input port, it outputs data corresponding to the input data from itsoutput port.

IC socket 54S is structured so as to allow the GAL 54 to beattached/detached to/from the IC socket 54S. The IC socket 54S isconnected to the motherboard 40, via a PCI bus. Thus, the GAL 54 isremoved from the IC socket 54S and the program stored in the GAL 54 isrewritten, before the GAL 54 is reinstalled in the IC socket 54S therebychanging the data output from the GAL 54.

The CPU 51, the ROM 55 and the boot ROM 52 connected through an internalbus are connected to the motherboard 40 through the PCI bus. The PCI buscommunicates signals between the motherboard 40 and the gaming board 50and supplies power from the motherboard 40 to the gaming board 50. TheROM 55 stores country identification information and an authenticationprogram. The boot ROM 52 stores a preliminary authentication program anda program (boot code) for enabling the CPU 51 to run the preliminaryauthentication program.

The authentication program is a program (falsification check program)for authenticating the game program and the game system program. Theauthentication program is a program for confirming and verifying thatthe game program and the game system program are not falsified. In otherwords, the authentication program is described in accordance with aprocedure for authenticating the game program and the game systemprogram. The preliminary authentication program is a program forauthenticating the authentication program. The preliminaryauthentication program is described in accordance with a procedure forverifying that the authentication program to be authenticated is notfalsified. In short, the preliminary authentication programauthenticates the authentication program.

The motherboard 40 is provided with a main CPU 41 (terminal controller100), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 42, a RAM (Random Access Memory) 43, anda communication unit 44.

The main CPU 41 has a function of a terminal controller 100 controllingthe entire gaming terminal 10. That is, the main CPU 41 controls variousprocess routines to be described later.

The main CPU 41 analyzes vocal data of the voice input through themicrophone 103 after the statement information is presented inaccordance to the not-shown process routines. Specifically, the main CPU41 converts the vocal data generated from the player's voice messageinto a character string. The character string obtained by thisconversion is compared with the keyword related to the statementinformation provided in the keyword table in FIG. 13, to determinewhether the character string includes the keyword or not. Thus it isdetermined whether the information represented by the voice inputincludes the keyword or not.

The ROM 42 stores a program such as BIOS (Basic Input/Output System) runby the main CPU 41, and permanently-used data. When the BIOS is run bythe main CPU 41, each of peripheral devices is initialized and the gameprogram and the game system program stored in the memory card 53 areread out through the gaming board 50. The RAM 43 stores data or aprogram used for the main CPU 41 to perform a process.

The communication unit 44 is also used for performing communication withthe center control unit 200 over a communication line. Further, a mainbody PCB (Printed Circuit Board) 60 is connected to the motherboard 40,through USB (Universal Serial Bus). Further, the motherboard 40 isconnected to a power unit 45. The power unit 45 supplies power to themotherboard 40 to boot the main CPU 41 thereof. Meanwhile, the powerunit 45 supplies power to the gaming board 50 through the PCI bus toboot the CPU 51 thereof.

The main body PCB 60 is connected to various devices or units whichgenerate signals to be input to the main CPU 41, and various devices orunits whose operations are controlled by signals from the main CPU 41.Based on a signal input to the main CPU 41, the main CPU 41 runs thegame program and the game system program stored in the RAM 43, toperform an arithmetic process. Then, the main CPU 41 stores the resultof the arithmetic process in the RAM 43, or transmits a control signalto the various devices and units to control them based on the result.

The main body PCB 60 is connected to a hopper 66, a coin sensor 67, agraphic board 68, a touch panel 69, the speaker 29, a bill validator 22,and an ID card reader 36, /*70%*/The main body PCB 60 is connected witha lamp 30, a hopper 66, a coin sensor 67, a graphic board 68, thespeaker 29, a bill validator 22, a ticket printer 35, a card reader 36,a key switch 38S, and a data displayer 37.

The hopper 66 is installed within the cabinet 2, and pays outpredetermined payouts through the dispensing port 7 in accordance to thecontrol signals that are output from the main CPU 41. The coin sensor 67is provided inside the dispensing port 7, and outputs a signal to beinput to the main CPU 41 upon sensing that a predetermined number ofcoins have been delivered from the dispensing port 7.

The graphic board 68 controls image displaying of the terminal display110, based on a control signal output from the main CPU 41. Further, thegraphic board 68 is provided with a VDP (Video Display Processor) forgenerating image data on the basis of a control signal from the main CPU41, a video RAM for temporarily storing the image data generated by theVDP, or the like. Image data used at the time of generating the imagedata by the VDP is in a game program which is read out from the memorycard 53 and stored in the RAM 43.

The touch panel 69 transmits a signal that represents the position wherethe player pressed to the main CPU 41. The main CPU makes reference tocorresponding information related to the positional data that is storedin the ROM 42.

The bill validator 22 reads an image on the bill and takes only thoserecognized as to be genuine into the cabinet 2. When taking in a genuinebill, the bill validator 22 outputs an input signal indicating the valueof the bill to the main CPU 41. The main CPU 41 stores into the RAM 43 acredit-value corresponding to the value of the bill indicated by thesignal.

The ID card reader 36 reads data from the ID card that is inserted bythe player through the ID card slot 4, and transmits the data to themain CPU 41.

The main body PCB 60 is connected to a reverter 21S, a coin counter 21C,and a cold cathode tube 81.

The coin counter 21C is provided within the coin insertion slot 6, andidentifies whether the coin inserted into the coin insertion slot 6 bythe player is genuine. A coin except the genuine coin is discharged fromthe dispensing port 7. In addition, the coin counter 21C outputs aninput signal to the main CPU 41 upon detection of a genuine coin.

The reverter 21S is operated on the basis of the control signal outputfrom the main CPU 41 and distributes a coin, which is recognized as agenuine coin by the coin counter 21C, to a not-illustrated cash box orhopper 66 mounted in the gaming terminal 10. In other words, when thehopper 66 is full of the coins, the genuine coin is distributed into thecash box by the reverter 21S. On the other hand, when the hopper 66 isnot yet full with the coins, the genuine coin is distributed into thehopper 66. The cold cathode tube 81 functions as a backlight mounted torear sides of the terminal display 110, and turns on according to acontrol signal from the main CPU 41.

(Electrical Structure of Center Control Unit 200)

FIG. 11 is a block diagram showing the electrical structure of thecenter control unit 200. Disposed in the center control unit 200 has acontrol unit. As shown in FIG. 11, the control unit comprises a motherboard 240, a gaming board 260, a graphic board 268, a light emissioncontrol circuit 304, a bonus payout (display unit indicator) controlcircuit 308, an actuator and other components.

The gaming board 260 has the same structure as the gaming board 50. Themother board 240 has the same structure as the motherboard 40. Thecommunication unit 244 is provided for communicating with the terminalcontroller 100 through a communication line.

The graphic board 268 has the same structure as that of the graphicboard 68, except in that the graphic board 268 controls image displayingof the shared display 210 based on a control signal from the main CPU241.

(Statement Information Table)

Now the statement information table shown in FIG. 12 will be described.The statement information table has a statement information ID column, atiming column, a statement condition column and a statement contentcolumn.

The statement information ID column includes statement information IDthat is an identification number which uniquely identifies thecorresponding statement information data stored in the statementinformation table. The timing column includes data representing thetiming of presenting the statement information data. The statementcondition column includes the condition for presenting the statementinformation. The statement content column includes text data of thecomment image 132 that is displayed as the statement information.

For example, when the player has sustained three or more losses in a rowat the time of awarding the payout of the base game, reference is madeto the content “You have been piling up losses, haven't you?” of thestatement information data having statement information ID of 001, andthe comment image 132 is displayed according to the content.

The data of the statement information table is stored in the memory card53, and reference is made to the data that has been transferred from thememory card 53 and stored in the RAM 43. This makes it possible toeasily set the timing of presenting the statement information bymodifying the timing data in the statement information table stored inthe memory card 53.

The method of setting the timing of presenting the statement informationis not limited to that described above. For example, the timing ofpresenting the statement information may also be set from the outsidevia a network (communication line), or such a structure may be employedas the settings stored in the center control unit 200 are reflected toall of the gaming terminals 10.

(Keyword Table)

Now the keyword table shown in FIG. 13 will be described. The keywordtable has a statement information ID column, a keyword column and anawarded point column.

The statement information ID column includes the statement informationID similar to that of the statement information table. The keywordcolumn includes the keyword for the statement information ID. It isdetermined whether point should be awarded or not, based on thiskeyword. The awarded point column contains the number of points to beawarded.

For example, when statement information of which statement informationID is “001” is shown as the comment image 132, it is checked to seewhether an utterance “My luck is out” is included in the voice messageinput subsequently. When the utterance “My luck is out” is included, 5points are awarded.

It is allowable that the statement information ID column of the keywordtable contains the keyword for the same statement information ID. Thatis, a plurality of keywords may be set for the same statementinformation. Points are stored in the RAM 43 of the gaming terminal 10.

[Operation of Gaming Machine 1: Boot Process]

The following describes a boot process which takes place in the gamingmachine 1. Upon powering on the gaming machine 1, the mother board 240and gaming board 260 in the center control unit 200, and the motherboard40 and the gaming board 50 in the terminal controller 100 execute theboot process routine illustrated in FIG. 14. The memory cards 53 and 263are assumed to be inserted into the card slots 53S and 263S of thegaming boards 50 and 260, respectively. Further, the GALs 54 and 264 areassumed to be attached to the IC sockets 54S and 264S, respectively.

First, turning on the power switch of (powering on) the power units 45and 245 boots the motherboards 40 and 240 and the gaming boards 50 and260. Booting the motherboards 40 and 240 and the gaming boards 50 and260 starts independent processes proceed in parallel. That is, in thegaming boards 50 and 260, the CPUs 51 and 261 read out preliminaryauthentication programs stored in the boot ROMs 52 and 262,respectively. Then, preliminary authentication is performed according tothe read out programs so as to confirm and authenticate that nomodification is made to authentication programs, before reading them inthe motherboards 40 and 240, respectively (S1). Meanwhile, the main CPUs41 and 241 of the motherboards 40 and 240 run BIOS stored in the ROMs 42and 242 to load into the RAMs 43 and 243 compressed data built in theBIOS, respectively (S2). Then, the main CPUs 41 and 241 run a procedureof the BIOS according to the data loaded into the RAMs 43 and 243 so asto diagnose and initialize various peripheral devices (S3).

The main CPUs 41 and 241, which are respectively connected to the ROMs55 and 265 of the gaming boards 50 and 260 via PCI buses, read outauthentication programs stored in the ROMs 55 and 265 and stores them inthe RAMs 43 and 243 (S4). During this step, the main CPUs 41 and 241each derives a checksum through ADDSUM method (a standard checkfunction) which is adopted in a standard BIOS, and store theauthentication programs into RAMs 43 and 243 while confirming if theoperation of storing is carried out without an error.

Next, the main CPUs 41 and 241 each checks what connects to the IDE bus.Then, the main CPUs 41 and 241 access, via the IDE buses, to the memorycards 53 and 263 inserted into the card slots 53S and 263S, and read outgame programs and game system programs from the memory cards 53 and 263,respectively. In this case, the main CPUs 41 and 241 each reads out fourbytes of data constituting the game program and the game system programat one time. Next, the main CPUs 41 and 241 authenticate the gameprogram and the game system program read out to confirm and prove thatthese programs are not modified (S5) in accordance with authenticationprograms stored in the RAMs 43 and 243.

When the authentication properly ends, the main CPUs 41 and 241 writeand store the authenticated game programs and game system programs inRAMs 43 and 243 (S6).

Next, the main CPUs 41 and 241 access, via the PCI buses, to the GALs 54and 264 attached to the IC sockets 54S and 264S, and read out payoutrate setting data from the GALs 54 and 264, respectively. The payoutrate setting data read out is then written and stored in the RAMs 43 and243 (S7).

Next, the main CPUs 41 and 241 read out, via the PCI buses, countryidentification information stored in the ROMs 55 and 265 of the gamingboards 50 and 260, respectively. The country identification informationread out is then stored in the RAMs 43 and 243 (S8).

After executing the processes described above, the main CPUs 41 and 241each performs an initial process of FIG. 15.

[Operation of Gaming Machine 1: Initial Process]

The following describes an initial process which takes place in thegaming machine 1. After the execution of the boot process shown in FIG.14, the center control unit 200 reads out from the RAM 243 and executesa center side initial setting routine shown in FIG. 15. Meanwhile, afterthe execution of the boot process shown in FIG. 14, the gaming terminal10 reads out from the RAM 43 a terminal side initial setting routineillustrated in FIG. 15 and executes the routine. The center side andterminal side initial setting routines are executed in parallel.

First, the main CPU 41 of the gaming terminal 10 checks operations of awork memory such as RAM 43, operations of various sensors and operationsof various drive mechanism (A1). The main CPU 41 then determines whetherthe check results are all normal or not (A2). If the main CPU 41determines that the check results contain an error (A2: NO), an errorsignal is supplied to the center control unit 200 (A3), and further, theerror is notified in the form of outputting beep sound from a speaker 29(A4), and then the routine is ended.

On the other hand, when it has been determined that the check resultsare all normal (A2: YES), the main CPU 41 outputs the initial setupsignal to the center control unit 200 (A5). Thereafter the process waitsfor the supply of an initial setting signal from the center control unit200 (A6, A7: NO)

Then the main CPU 241 of the center control unit 200 receives a signalfrom each terminal (B1). Then, the main CPU 241 determines whether asignal received is an error signal (B2). If the main CPU 241 determinesthat the signal is an error signal (B2: YES), the main CPU 241 outputsthe error signal to a server of a not-illustrated host computer or thelike (B9) to report the error (B10), and ends the routine.

On the other hand in B2, if the main CPU 241 determines that the signalis not an error signal (B2:NO), the main CPU 241 determines whether apredetermined time (check time) has elapsed from the time of powering on(B3). If the main CPU 241 determines that the check time has elapsed(B3: YES), B9 is executed. On the other hand, if the main CPU 241determines that the check time has not yet elapsed (B3:NO), it isdetermined whether an initial setting signal is received from all thegaming terminals 10 (B4). If the main CPU 241 determines that an initialsetting signal from all the gaming terminals 10 is not received (B4:NO), the process returns to B1. On the other hand, if the main CPU 241determines that initial setting signals from all the gaming terminals 10are received (B4: YES), the main CPU 241 checks operations of workmemory such as the RAM 243 (B5). Then, the main CPU 241 determineswhether all the check results are normal (B6). If the main CPU 241determines the check results contain an error (B6: NO), the main CPU 241executes B9.

On the other hand, after the checking operations through the step B6, ifall the check results are normal (B6: YES), the main CPU 241 outputs aninitial setting signal to all the gaming terminals 10 (B7), and causesthe shared display 210 to display a demo-screen (B8). Then, the main CPU241 ends the routine.

In A7, the main CPU 41 of the gaming terminals 10 determines that aninitial setting signal is received from the center control unit 200 (A7:YES), and causes the terminal display 110 to display a demo-screen (A7).The main CPU 41 then ends the routine.

[Process at Center]

Now procedure at the center executed by the main CPU 241 of the centercontrol unit 200 will be described with reference to FIG. 16.

First, the dealer is determined (C1). Specifically, the common dealerimage 211 displayed on the shared display 210 is determined.Determination of the dealer may be either executed for each unit game,for example, for each of a predetermined number of unit game, orexecuted at predetermined intervals.

Then it is determined whether the BET signal is received or not (C2).The BET signal is output from each of the gaming terminals 10. When theBET button image 111 a, 111 b or 111 c is pressed at the gaming terminal10, the BET signal that carries the information on the amount of BET issent to the center control unit 200. When the BET signal is not received(C2: YES), the process of step C2 is repeated. The BET signal isreceived in a predetermined period of time, although not shown in thedrawing. That is, gaming terminal 10 that does not send the BET signalwithin predetermined period of time is not allowed to participate in thegame.

When the BET signal is received (C2: YES), a card signal is sent (C3).Specifically, the card signal is sent only to the gaming terminal 10that has sent the BET signal in step C2. The card signal contains theinformation on two cards that have been randomly selected and dealt atthe start of the unit game.

Then it is determined whether the card request signal has been received(C4). When it is determined that the card request signal is output (C4:YES), an additional card signal is sent to the gaming terminal 10 thathas transmit the card request signal (C5). The additional card signalcontains the information on one card that has been randomly selected.

In this embodiment, random selection from the 52 kinds of card iscarried out by generating a random number by means of a program (notshown) that is executed by the main CPU 241. The method of selecting thecard is not limited to this. For example, the gaming machine 1 may havesuch a structure that has a random number generator or other hardware.

The outcome showing process is carried out (C6). Specifically, theoutcome of the unit game for each of the gaming terminals 10 isdisplayed on the shared display 210, and this routine ends.

[Process at Gaming Terminal]

Now procedure at the gaming terminal executed by the main CPU 41 of thegaming terminal 10 will be described with reference to FIG. 17.

First, dealer selecting process is executed (D1). In the dealerselecting process, which will be described in detail later withreference to FIG. 18, a terminal dealer image 120 is determined at thegaming terminal 10.

Then it is determined whether BET has been made or not (D2).Specifically, it is checked to see whether any of the BET button images111 a, 111 b, 111 c has been pressed by the player or not. When BET hasnot been made (D2: NO), the process of step D2 is repeated. When BET hasbeen made (D2: YES), the BET signal that contains the information on theamount of BET is transmitted to the center control unit 200 (D3).

The number of credits stored in the RAM 43 is decreased by the amount ofBET (D4). Then it is determined whether the card signal has beenreceived or not (D5). If no gaming terminal determine signal has beenreceived (D5: NO), the process of the step D5 is repeated. When it isdetermined that the card signal has been received (D5: YES), carddisplaying process is carried out (D6). Specifically, as shown in FIG.4, the initially dealt cards image 115 is displayed in accordance to thecard signal, and sum of the values of the two cards is displayed as thepoint image 116.

Then it is checked to see whether the total value of the cards is notgreater than 16 and HIT is declared or not (D7). Specifically, when thetotal value of the two cards displayed on the gaming terminal is notgreater than 16, it is checked to see whether the player has pressed thearea of HIT button image 114 or not. When the total value of the cardsis not greater than 16 and HIT is declared (D7: YES), a card requestsignal is output to the center control unit 200 (D8), and it isdetermined whether the additional card signal has been received or not(D9). When it is determined that the additional card signal is notreceived (D9: NO), the process of step D9 is repeated. When it isdetermined that the additional card signal is received (D9: YES),additional card displaying process is carried out (D10). Specifically,as shown in FIG. 4, additionally dealt card image 117 is displayed inaccordance to the additional card signal.

When the total value of the cards is not greater than 16 and HIT is notdeclared (D7: NO), or the process of step D10 has been completed, it isdetermined whether the outcome signal has been received or not (D11).When it is determined that the outcome signal is received, the outcomeis displayed on the terminal display 110 (D12), and it is checked to seewhether there is a payout or not (D13). When there is not a payout (D13:NO), the control returns to step D1 and this routine is repeated. Whenthere is a payout (D13: YES), the payout is determined and awarded (D14)and the control returns to step D1 to repeat this routine.

[Dealer Selection Process]

Dealer selection process that is executed by the main CPU 41 of thegaming terminal 10 will now be described with reference to FIG. 18. Thisroutine is recalled from the gaming terminal process shown in FIG. 17and is returned to the gaming terminal process when completed.

First, it is checked to see whether the ID card is inserted or not (E1).Specifically, it is checked to see whether the ID card is inserted inthe ID card reader 36 of the ID card slot 4 or not. When the ID card isnot inserted (E1: NO), this routine is terminated. When the ID card isinserted (E1: YES), it is checked to see whether the player ID containedin the ID card is identical to the player ID stored in the RAM 43 or not(E2). When there is no player ID stored in the RAM 43, it is determinedthat the player ID is not identical. The player ID contained in theinserted ID card is stored in the RAM 43 in step E3 to be describedlater.

When the player ID is identical (E2: YES), this routine is terminated.When the player ID is not identical (E2: NO), the player ID stored inthe RAM 43 is deleted and the player ID contained in the ID card that isinserted is stored in the RAM 43 (E3).

That is, in the case of this embodiment, the dealer selecting screen isdisplayed every time the player changes. When a predetermined period oftime has elapsed after the end of the unit game, or when a clearancebutton (not shown) is pressed to get the credit paid out, the player IDstored in the RAM and the accumulated points are deleted at the sametime. At this time, notification about deletion of the points may bemade through the speaker 29 or other means.

Then the dealer selecting screen shown in FIG. 6 is displayed (E1). ITis determined whether any of the dealer candidate images 130 a, 130 b,130 c has been pressed or not (E5). In the dealer selecting process,which will be described in detail later with reference to FIG. 18, theterminal dealer image 120 is determined at the gaming terminal 10. Whenany of the BET button images 111 has not been pressed (E5: NO), theprocess of step E5 is repeated.

On the other hand, when any of the display areas of the BET buttonimages 111 has been pressed (E5), it is determined which of the dealershas been selected in accordance to the positional information from thetouch panel (E6), and the selected dealer is displayed at the terminaldealer image 120 (E7). Then the accumulated points stored in the RAM 43is reset (E8), and this routine ends.

[Statement Information Presenting Process]

Now the statement information presenting process that is executed by themain CPU 41 of the gaming terminal 10 will be described with referenceto FIG. 19. This routine is recalled from a plurality of predeterminedpoints in the game terminating process shown in FIG. 17 and is, whencompleted, returned to the game terminating process, although not shownin the drawing.

First, it is determined to see whether the statement condition issatisfied (F1). Specifically, the statement condition is checked for alldata of which timing of storing in the timing column of the statementinformation table corresponds to the timing of recalling the statementinformation process. Further, when there is data of which statementcondition that has been checked is applicable to the current state ofthe base game, it is determined that the statement condition issatisfied. When the statement condition is not met (F1: NO), thisroutine ends.

On the other hand, when the statement condition is met (F1: YES),notification process is carried out (E2). Specifically, content of thedata of which statement condition is met is displayed as comment image132, as shown in FIG. 7. At this time, the vocal input allowing symbolimage 133 and the vocal input request comment image 134 are displayed toprompt the player to enter voice message. It is determined whether avoice message has been input within a predetermined period of time (F3).When voice message has not been input within the predetermined period oftime (F3: NO), this routine ends.

When a voice message has been input within the predetermined period oftime (F3: YES), the voice message that has been input is analyzed (F4).It is determined whether the voice message contains the keyword (F5).Specifically, the keyword table is checked to compare the keyword thatcorresponds to the statement information ID of the statement informationdata subjected to the notification process in step F2 with the characterstring generated from the voice data. When the character string includesthe keyword, it is determined that the keyword is included. When thekeyword is not included (F5: NO), this routine ends.

When the keyword is included (F5: YES), point is accumulatively stored(F6). Specifically, by checking the keyword table, point correspondingto the keyword that is determined to be included in step F5 isaccumulatively stored in the RAM 43. When point data is not stored inthe RAM 43, the point is stored anew.

Then the screen display of the terminal display 110 is updated (F7).Specifically, the accumulated point section 135 a of the point gaugeimage 135 is updated in accordance to the amount of points stored in theRAM 43. Then it is determined whether the amount of points has reached apredetermined level (F8). When the amount of points has not reached apredetermined level (F8: NO), this routine ends. When the amount ofpoints has reached the predetermined level (F8: YES), a predeterminedcredit is awarded (F9) and this routine ends.

As described above, the base game is run in the gaming machine 1 and thepayout is awarded in accordance to the predetermined winning. Thecomment image 132 is displayed as the statement information thatcorresponds to the state of the base game at the predetermined timing.The voice message input from the outside through the microphone 103 isaccepted as the vocal data. The privilege is awarded when the keywordrelated to the presented statement information is included in theinformation represented by the vocal data.

In the process described above, the gaming machine 1 runs the base gameand, at the same time, allows a voice message to be input in response tothe statement information. The privilege is awarded when the keywordrelated to the presented statement information is included in theinformation represented by the vocal data. As a result, newentertainment characteristics are provided.

The gaming machine 1 is structured such that the timing at which thestatement information is presented can be set, which makes it possibleto render flexibility to the method of presenting the statementinformation in the gaming machine 1 and improve the entertainmentcharacteristics.

Also in the gaming machine 1, the base game is run independently fromthe other gaming terminals 10 and payouts are awarded according to thepredetermined winning. The statement information that corresponds to thestate of the base game is displayed at the predetermined timing. Thevoice message input from the outside through the microphone 103 isaccepted as the vocal data. The privilege is awarded when the keywordrelated to the presented statement information is included in theinformation represented by the vocal data.

In the process described above, the gaming machine 1 runs the base gameand, at the same time, allows a voice message to be input in response tothe statement information. The privilege is awarded when the keywordrelated to the presented statement information is included in theinformation represented by the vocal data. As a result, newentertainment characteristics are provided.

In the gaming machine 1, the base game is run independently from theother gaming terminals 10 and payouts are awarded according to thepredetermined winning. The effect images of the plurality of charactersare displayed on the terminal display and the options are presented. Oneof the plurality of dealers is selected according to the input to theinput device. The selected dealer is displayed as the terminal dealerimage 120 on the terminal display 110 and the statement informationcorresponding to the state of the base game is presented. The voicemessage input from the outside through the microphone 103 is received asvocal data. When a keyword related to the statement information that hasbeen presented is included in the information represented by the vocaldata, predetermined points are accumulatively stored. When theaccumulated points reach a predetermined value, a privilege is awarded.

As a result, the gaming machine 1 runs the base game and, at the sametime, allows the voice message to be input in response to the statementinformation that is presented together with the terminal dealer image120. The privilege is awarded when the predetermined keyword is includedin the voice message. As a result, new entertainment characteristics areprovided.

The detailed description of the present invention provided hereinabovemainly focused on characteristics thereof for the purpose of easierunderstanding; however, the scope of the present invention shall beconstrued as broadly as possible, encompassing various forms of otherpossible embodiments, and therefore the present invention shall not belimited to the above description. Further, the terms and phraseologyused in the present specification are adopted solely to provide specificillustration of the present invention, and in no case should the scopeof the present invention be limited by such terms and phraseology.Further, it will be obvious for those skilled in the art that the otherstructures, systems, methods or the like are possible, within the spiritof the invention described in the present specification. The descriptionof claims therefore shall encompass structures equivalent to the presentinvention, unless otherwise such structures are regarded as to departfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention. Further, theabstract is provided to allow, through a simple investigation, quickanalysis of the technical features and essences of the present inventionby an intellectual property office, a general public institution, or oneskilled in the art who is not fully familiarized with patent and legalor professional terminology. It is therefore not an intention of theabstract to limit the scope of the present invention which shall beconstrued on the basis of the description of the claims. To fullyunderstand the object and effects of the present invention, it isstrongly encouraged to sufficiently refer to disclosures of documentsalready made available.

The detailed description of the present invention provided hereinaboveincludes a process executed on a computer or computer network. The abovedescriptions and expressions are provided to allow the one skilled inthe art to most efficiently understand the present invention. A processperformed in or by respective steps yielding one result or blocks with apredetermined processing function described in the present specificationshall be understood as a process with no self-contradiction. Further,the electrical or magnetic signal is transmitted/received and written inthe respective steps or blocks. It should be noted that such a signal isexpressed in the form of bit, value, symbol, text, terms, number, or thelike solely for the sake of convenience. Although the presentspecification occasionally personifies the processes performed in thesteps or blocks, these processes are essentially executed by variousdevices. Further, the other structures necessary for the steps or blocksare obvious from the above descriptions.

1. A gaming machine comprising: a base game that awards a payout in accordance to a predetermined winning; a plurality of sets of statement information presented in accordance to the state of said base game; keywords related to said plurality of sets of statement information; a microphone that allows a voice message to be input from the outside; and a controller that is programmed to control the operations through the following processes (a1) through (a4): (a1) to run said base game and award a payout in accordance to a predetermined winning; (a2) to present said statement information at a predetermined timing; (a3) to accept a voice message input from the outside through said microphone as vocal data; and (a4) to award a privilege when a keyword related to said statement information that has been presented is included in the information represented by said vocal data.
 2. The gaming machine according to claim 1, wherein said controller is structured so as to be capable of setting the timing of presenting said statement information.
 3. A gaming machine comprising: a base game that awards a payout in accordance to a predetermined winning; a plurality of sets of statement information presented in accordance to the state of said base game; keywords related to said plurality of sets of statement information; a plurality of gaming terminals each including a microphone that allows a voice message to be input from the outside and a controller that is programmed to control the operations through the following processes (b1) through (b4): (b1) to run said base game independently from the other gaming terminals and award a payout in accordance to a predetermined winning; (b2) to present said statement information at a predetermined timing; (b3) to accept a voice message input from the outside through said microphone as vocal data; and (b4) to award a privilege when a keyword related to said statement information that has been presented is included in the information represented by said vocal data.
 4. A gaming machine comprising: a base game that awards a payout in accordance to a predetermined winning; a plurality of sets of statement information presented in accordance to the state of said base game; keywords related to said plurality of sets of statement information; options presented to allow selection one of a plurality of characters; a plurality of gaming terminals each including a terminal display that displays effect images of a plurality of characters, a microphone that allows a voice message to be input from the outside, an input device that accepts input from the outside and a controller that is programmed to control the operations through the following processes (c1) through (c7): (c1) to run said base game independently from the other gaming terminals and award a payout in accordance to a predetermined winning; (c2) to display effect images of said plurality of characters on said terminal display, and present said options; (c3) to determine one from said plurality of characters according to the input made on said input device; (c4) to display the determined character on said terminal display and present said statement information at a predetermined timing; (c5) to accept a voice message input from the outside through said microphone as vocal data; (c6) to accumulatively store predetermined points to an accumulated value stored, when a keyword related to said statement information that has been presented is included in the information represented by said vocal data; and (c7) to award a privilege when the accumulated value that is stored has reached a predetermined value.
 5. A method for playing a gaming machine comprising: (d1) a step of running a base game that awards payouts according to a predetermined winning and awarding payouts according to the predetermined winning; (d2) a step of presenting statement information in accordance to the state of the game at a predetermined timing; (d3) a step of accepting a voice message input from the outside through the microphone as vocal data; and (d4) a step of awarding a privilege when a predetermined keyword related to said statement information that has been presented is included in the information represented by said vocal data. 